Judge Asks for Final Arguments in School Districts Case

The courtroom portion of the trial over proposed municipal schools districts in Shelby County concluded just before noon today with all parties agreeing to allow new evidence to be submitted by Oct. 4. According to the Commercial Appeal, federal District Judge Samuel "Hardy" Mays directed attorneys involved to submit final findings of fact and conclusions about the constitutionality of laws allowing municipal school districts by the same date. He also announced that a separate trial on civil rights challenges to the districts, scheduled for Nov. 6, likely would be postponed and may not be needed, depending on how he rules on the current case.